NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Fri, 09 Dec 2016 17:44:23 +0000http://hppr.org
Skip ManciniI've been walkin' on the railroad...and it's not what you would expect! Did you know that, in cities across the world, out-of-use elevated freight rail lines have been resurrected as rustic gardens and public parks? It's true! From Paris to Chicago to New York City, defunct industrial corridors have made for quite the elysian green spaces. On a recent trip to the Big Apple, I was thrilled to visit The High Line —one of the city's most unique public parks. Hovering over Manhattan’s West Side, it skirts through Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, providing a juicy variety of plants and views certain to fill you up! Today's Growing on the High Plains will walk you through this fascinating, urban landscape, including one of the city's future projects , the Low Line, that sounds like subterranean magic. And who does "underground" better than New York City?Growing on the High Plains: High Line, Low Linehttp://hppr.org/post/growing-high-plains-high-line-low-line
70079 as http://hppr.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 15:05:33 +0000Growing on the High Plains: High Line, Low LineJonathan BakerTexas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has been generating a lot of talk in recent days in the Texas Panhandle. The controversial Republican from Stephenville is still being considered for a post in Donald Trump’s cabinet. Miller stopped into Amarillo and made some enemies at a local restaurant, even as he drew heat from The Texas Tribune for spreading false news on his social media accounts. As the Tribune notes, a brief survey of Miller’s Facebook page showed the commissioner reposting at least ten fabricated news stories from conspiracy websites. Miller gained national attention during the presidential election for referring to Hillary Clinton by an offensive epithet, and for suggesting that atomic bombs be dropped on the “Muslim world.” Meanwhile, as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported , Miller stopped by a restaurant in downtown Amarillo and was unhappy with his service. He left a business card on his plate, upon which he scrawled, “Terrible steak — more like prime rib whichTexas Ag Commissioner Ruffles Feathers at a Panhandle Café http://hppr.org/post/texas-ag-commissioner-ruffles-feathers-panhandle-caf
69999 as http://hppr.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 06:43:00 +0000Texas Ag Commissioner Ruffles Feathers at a Panhandle Café Jonathan BakerOil and gas companies have reason to celebrate this week, as President-Elect Trump is expected to nominate a longtime oil ally to helm the Environmental Protection Agency. As Politico reports, Scott Pruitt has been a staunch opponent of climate regulations in his role as Attorney General of Oklahoma. The suggestion that an avowed climate change denier will head the agency charged with protecting the environment has left environmental advocates feeling devastated. As Oklahoma’s AG, Pruitt has been a constant foe of the agency he will now head. He has repeatedly challenged regulations on carbon emissions and water pollution, and Pruitt is expected to dismantle or reverse much of President Obama's environmental legislation. On Pruitt’s LinkedIn page, he proudly touts himself as “a leading advocate against the EPA’s activist agenda.” Now, Pruitt will have an opportunity to change that agenda.With Selection of Pruitt to Head EPA, Trump Signals a Major Shift in Climate Policyhttp://hppr.org/post/selection-pruitt-head-epa-trump-signals-major-shift-climate-policy
70081 as http://hppr.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 01:40:18 +0000With Selection of Pruitt to Head EPA, Trump Signals a Major Shift in Climate PolicyJonathan BakerKansas has a new Speaker of the House, and he’s coming into the job with a hard row to hoe. As The Kansas City Star reports , Ron Ryckman is inheriting not one but two budget shortfalls. There’s the current budget gap of roughly $348 million, with seven months left in the fiscal year. And then, once the new fiscal year begins, the shortfall is expected to balloon to $582 million. And Governor Sam Brownback has decided to wait until January to propose a solution to the state’s budget crisis, which isn’t helping matters for Ryckman. The Olathe Republican was selected this week to be the next Speaker, beating out fellow Republican Russ Jennings. Though Ryckman was the more conservative of the two choices, he says he’s open to any and all ideas. Ryckman was one of the key movers in successfully passing a school finance plan during June’s special session.New Kansas House Speaker Has His Work Cut Out for Himhttp://hppr.org/post/new-kansas-house-speaker-has-his-work-cut-out-him
69998 as http://hppr.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 14:20:00 +0000New Kansas House Speaker Has His Work Cut Out for HimAngie HaflichA retail liquor group in Oklahoma has filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking a ballot initiative passed by over 65 percent of voters that would allow wine and cold beer to be sold at grocery and convenience stores.Oklahoma retail liquor group attempting to block SQ 792http://hppr.org/post/oklahoma-retail-liquor-group-attempting-block-sq-792
70030 as http://hppr.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Oklahoma retail liquor group attempting to block SQ 792Angie HaflichEarlier this year, the lesser prairie chicken was removed from the threatened and endangered species list, but in response to a petition by environmentalists, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to review the bird’s status.Feds reviewing status of lesser prairie chicken http://hppr.org/post/feds-reviewing-status-lesser-prairie-chicken
70031 as http://hppr.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Feds reviewing status of lesser prairie chicken Angie HaflichGoing forward, it will be more difficult to get constitutional amendments on the ballot in Colorado.Colorado amendment makes future amendments more difficult http://hppr.org/post/colorado-amendment-makes-future-amendments-more-difficult
70032 as http://hppr.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Colorado amendment makes future amendments more difficult Angie HaflichAn increase in oil prices is likely a precursor to higher gas prices over the holidays. Following an agreement by OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, last week to cut global oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day, the price of crude oil rose to $55 per barrel, a 16-month high, as Yahoo News reports. AAA reported a seven-day increase in national average gas prices which reached $2.18 per gallon Monday. That is a five-cent per gallon increase from last week. OPEC’s cut in production is to take effect Jan. 1 and is meant to re-balance the global oil supply and raise prices, according to a press release from AAA. As of Monday, the U.S. Energy Information Administration , reported average regular unleaded gas prices of $2.21 per gallon, which is about 15 cents higher than a year ago, and average diesel fuel prices of $2.48 per gallon, which is just over 10 cents higher than a year ago. In a press release Monday, GasBuddy.com , an online fuel price monitor,Gas prices likely to rise following cut in oil productionhttp://hppr.org/post/gas-prices-likely-rise-following-cut-oil-production
70036 as http://hppr.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Gas prices likely to rise following cut in oil productionJonathan BakerKansas has traditionally had a lower unemployment rate than the nation at large. But that looks to be changing next year, if analyst predictions hold true. As The Wichita Eagle reports , the latest numbers have Kansas at 4.4 percent unemployment, slightly lower than the national average. But the U.S unemployment rate just dropped once again, to 4.6 percent. Meanwhile, experts expect the Kansas unemployment rate to rise to about 4.7 percent in 2018 based on current data. Governor Sam Brownback has consistently pointed to Kansas’s low jobless rate as proof that his tax schemes have been successful. But over the past year the nation at large has made steady gains, while Kansas has been losing jobs. Kansas has shed about one percent of its labor force in the last year, according to the nonpartisan Kansas Legislative Research Department . In that same period, the U.S. grew by 1.2 percent.Kansas Jobless Rate Likely to Surpass Nation's Next Yearhttp://hppr.org/post/kansas-jobless-rate-likely-surpass-nations-next-year
69953 as http://hppr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 14:07:00 +0000Kansas Jobless Rate Likely to Surpass Nation's Next YearJonathan BakerThe market for agriculture drones looks to be far bigger than many analysts suspected, according to a new report by The Motley Fool . In fact, the addressable market for drones performing agricultural work could be as high as $33 billion.* Drones were first used for agricultural purposes in Japan. Now Goldman Sachs is predicting the agriculture sector to be the largest user of drones in the U.S. over the next five years. And drone makers are increasingly turning their focus to agriculture. So, how exactly can drones help farmers? The key to feeding an ever-growing population lies in increasing crop yields. That’s where drones come in. Drones can perform a ton of actions in minutes—actions that take farmers much longer, if they’re able to do them at all. These include scanning fields to assess soil, monitoring crop health, applying fertilizers, tracking weather and estimating yields. The drones can then collect and analyze the data in seconds. *Correction: An earlier version of thisThe Agricultural Drone Market Is Boominghttp://hppr.org/post/agricultural-drone-market-booming
69952 as http://hppr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 13:47:00 +0000The Agricultural Drone Market Is BoomingJonathan BakerAlmost half of overweight Americans don’t know they’re overweight, reports The Washington Post . The CDC says more Americans than ever are overweight, with the problem even more pronounced in the heartland. And, according to a new Gallup study, far fewer of them think they’re overweight. Back in 1990 about 56 percent of Americans were found to be overweight. And almost as many—48 percent—considered themselves to have a weight problem. Today, the percentage of overweight Americans has risen to 70. But only 36 percent consider themselves overweight. So why is this happening? Yale University's Nicholas Christakis says the widening gap is due to a resetting of norms. He explains that as person's friends gain weight, it changes the person’s idea about what an acceptable body size is. When the majority of one’s friends are overweight, this can result in the person gaining weight without noticing. This could explain why government programs to fight obesity have met with limited success.As Obesity Rates Rise, Fewer Americans Realize They're Overweighthttp://hppr.org/post/obesity-rates-rise-fewer-americans-realize-theyre-overweight
69944 as http://hppr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 12:27:00 +0000As Obesity Rates Rise, Fewer Americans Realize They're OverweightJonathan BakerHigh Plains women who’ve come to rely on free birth control under the Affordable Care Act may lose their benefits once the Trump administration takes the reins. The law providing cost-free contraception has been popular among working women, but deeply unpopular with foes of abortion rights. And Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services is an avowed opponent of reproductive rights. As The Seattle Times reports, Rep. Tom Price, a Republican from Georgia, has a 100 percent anti-abortion-rights voting record. In his role as the new HHS Secretary, Price wouldn’t need the approval of Congress to revoke the free-contraceptive measure. That’s because the contraceptive measure never went through Congress in the first place. It exists due to a rule enacted by the Obama administration. If Price scuttles the law, rural women will likely suffer the most. More than half of states have laws requiring health-care plans to cover birth control. But among High Plains states, onlyHigh-Plains Women Could Lose Free Birth Control Under Trump's New HHS Secreteryhttp://hppr.org/post/high-plains-women-could-lose-free-birth-control-under-trumps-new-hhs-secretery
69943 as http://hppr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 11:42:00 +0000High-Plains Women Could Lose Free Birth Control Under Trump's New HHS SecreteryAngie HaflichThe Amache Japanese Internment camp held over 7,000 Japanese – mostly American citizens – from 1942 to 1945 following the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor that left over 2,400 dead and over 1,100 wounded.Memories of Pearl Harbor, Japanese internment camp http://hppr.org/post/memories-pearl-harbor-japanese-internment-camp
69995 as http://hppr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Memories of Pearl Harbor, Japanese internment camp Angie HaflichFollowing last week’s move by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd), crude oil prices rose above the $55 per barrel mark Monday, hitting a 16-month high, Reuters reports.Oil prices over $50 per barrel following OPEC production cuthttp://hppr.org/post/oil-prices-over-50-barrel-following-opec-production-cut
69996 as http://hppr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Oil prices over $50 per barrel following OPEC production cutAngie HaflichOklahoma could be in for a lot less shaking according to a research study that shows earthquake activity slows as wastewater injection is reduced.Less Oklahoma quakes in the next few years, study suggestshttp://hppr.org/post/less-oklahoma-quakes-next-few-years-study-suggests
69997 as http://hppr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Less Oklahoma quakes in the next few years, study suggestsJonathan BakerTalk continues to swirl around the possibility that Kansas Governor Sam Brownback could be given a position in Donald Trump’s cabinet—most likely as Secretary of Agriculture. Now the question many in the Sunflower State are asking is, would it be easier for Kansas to fix its budget problems if Brownback moves up? As The Kansas City Star reports, some lawmakers and analysts in the state think the answer is yes—though those yesses are qualified by certain conditions. Many believe Brownback’s departure could make it easier to put the state’s tax and spending onto a new path next year. But others are less sure. They think Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer might be as convinced of the validity of Brownback’s budget theories as the governor himself. They say Kansas's woes are so pervasive that turning the state’s revenue steamship around will be difficult no matter who the captain is.If Brownback Joins the Trump Team, Will It Help the Kansas Economy? http://hppr.org/post/if-brownback-joins-trump-team-will-it-help-kansas-economy
69899 as http://hppr.orgMon, 05 Dec 2016 15:17:00 +0000If Brownback Joins the Trump Team, Will It Help the Kansas Economy? Jonathan BakerThe U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2016 Farm numbers were released last week. As Farm Futures reports, farm income for 2016 is forecast to drop by almost 15% from last year’s levels. This is the third straight year net cash farm income has dropped. Most of the income decrease can be attributed to a drop in income from livestock and animal products. John Hansen, head of the Nebraska Farmer’s Union, says the lower prices are putting a strain on producers and lenders. He said he’s expecting “a long and difficult winter as ag producers and bankers sharpen their pencils and struggle to come up with positive cash flows for 2017.” But, Steve Nelson, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, was quick to point out that agriculture is a cyclical business. “We talked about that when prices were high but clearly we’re on the downside of the cycle now,” he said.2016 Sees Another Drop in High-Plains Farm Incomehttp://hppr.org/post/2016-sees-another-drop-high-plains-farm-income
69898 as http://hppr.orgMon, 05 Dec 2016 14:55:00 +00002016 Sees Another Drop in High-Plains Farm IncomeJonathan BakerIn recent months Texas has launched itself into the center of the anti-vaxxer movement. According to a new report by Science magazine , the Lone Star state is us quickly becoming a battlefield in the war between those who support childhood vaccinations and those who claim they’re dangerous. The number of Texas schoolchildren who haven’t been vaccinated against childhood diseases is growing rapidly. As a result, experts worry that the state may see its first measles outbreaks next winter. Meanwhile, a slew of vaccine-related bills have been introduced, and anti-vaxxers have been pushing lawmakers to change law to accommodate their wish to not vaccinate their children. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine says Texas is now the center of the debate over vaccination. And Anna Dragsbaek of the Immunization Partnership says, “There is a big fight coming.”Texas Is Now the "Center of the Anti-vaxxer Movement" http://hppr.org/post/texas-now-center-anti-vaxxer-movement
69865 as http://hppr.orgMon, 05 Dec 2016 12:51:00 +0000Texas Is Now the "Center of the Anti-vaxxer Movement" Jonathan BakerThe last few decades have witnessed an unprecedented explosion of wild pigs in the continental U.S. Over the last 30 years, feral swine populations have ballooned to spread across 39 states. As AgWeb reports, it’s now estimated that there are as many as 11 million pigs living wild in America. And these animals just seem to keep proliferating, no matter what ag operations try. USDA pig expert Jack Mayer says setting pigs loose on virgin land is akin to pouring water on gremlins. The issue is, wild pigs have no effective predators other than humans. They breed year-round, and sows bear two litters a year. And those litters can produce as many as 12 piglets at a time. Dale Nolte of the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program estimates damage inflicted by wild pigs across the U.S. economy at as much as $2.5 billion per year. The USDA is currently developing more efficient trapping technologies, as well as developing oral pig contraceptives. A pig pill, if you will.Wild Pigs are Running Rampant. What Can Be Done?http://hppr.org/post/wild-pigs-are-running-rampant-what-can-be-done
69864 as http://hppr.orgMon, 05 Dec 2016 10:31:00 +0000Wild Pigs are Running Rampant. What Can Be Done?Angie HaflichIf you’re searching for a holiday greeting that covers the myriad of religious holidays and observances celebrated in December, "Happy Holidays" really does cover it. According to 2016 Inter-faith calendar , the month of December is chock-full of holidays including those observed by Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, pagans, Jews and Zoroastrians. Never heard of Zoroastrianism? It dates back to ancient Greece and is believed to have actually influenced the world’s more well-known religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica , and is also believed to have inspired astrology and magic. Zoroastrians believe the Iranian prophet Zarathustra founded the religion and according to the website, interfaith-calendar.org, Dec. 26 is Zoroastrians’ observance of Zarathustra’s death. Kwanzaa, an annual holiday that affirms African family and social values, also begins Dec. 26 but is celebrated through Jan. 1 each year. The holiday draws on Southern African firstVariety of religious holidays celebrated in Decemberhttp://hppr.org/post/variety-religious-holidays-celebrated-december
69956 as http://hppr.orgMon, 05 Dec 2016 10:01:00 +0000Variety of religious holidays celebrated in December